Cape Town - The Lions have been installed as joint-favourites for the 2017 Super Rugby title.
The Lions topped the overall log upon completion of the Conference phase and will have home ground advantage through to the final - should the progress that far.
Leading SA bookmakers Sportingbet have the Lions and Crusaders as 21/10 favourites, with the Hurricanes next best at 13/5.
The Chiefs (8/1) and Highlanders (10/1) are next best, while the Stormers (66/1), Brumbies (100/1) and Sharks (125/1) are rank outsiders for the title.
The Brumbies will host the Hurricanes in Friday's first quarter-final (11:45 SA time).
Saturday will see the three remaining quarters with the Crusaders welcoming the Highlanders to Christchurch (09:35 SA time), before the Lions and Sharks do battle in Johannesburg (14:30) and the Stormers host the Chiefs at Newlands (17:00) in a repeat of last year's last 8 fixture.